Last Glisten

Last Glisten

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

It's hard to see in the photo, but there is a little shimmer of light on the dugout where the sun is about to go down. 

Fire-tipped Clouds

Fire-tipped Clouds

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

Small art, big impact.

Another new painting at Darrell Bell Gallery.

Evening Canola

Evening Canola

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

A pink tinge in the sky at dusk in late July.

Memories

Memories

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

 Gentle waves and evening light.

Duck Pond in September, Forestry Farm

Duck Pond in September, Forestry Farm

8x8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

I recently delivered seven new 8x8's to Darrell Bell Gallery. Gift giving season is approaching rapidly and luckily my order of thirty panels just arrived as this last batch of seven depleted my stock!

Morning at the River

Morning at the River

8x8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

Fresh, sparkling morning air.

Retired Country Road

Retired Country Road

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

If this old road could talk...

Prairie Chaos - Makeover Monday!

Prairie Chaos

(after)

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

This is a painting makeover that I did awhile ago and forgot to publish. The original, from 2015, was somewhat experimental, but after some time it began to feel a bit raw or unfinished which spurred on the remake. I tried to keep the loose and chaotic energy, but pulled together the colours and values a bit more.

Prairie Chaos

(before)

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2015

One For The Storm Chasers

One For The Storm Chasers

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

I think this one is still available! I love it!

Rolling Along

Rolling Along

8x8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2018

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

I think this one might still be available!

Moonlight And The Meadow

Moonlight And The Meadow
8x8"
oil on cradled panel
© Nicki Ault, 2019
available at Darrell Bell Gallery

A fun experiment that became one of my favourites of this new batch of 8x8's. More ideas are brewing in this regard.

Skirting The Field

Skirting The Field

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

The edges of fields by the roadside are often quite interesting to look at: there might be a few thistles or weeds, you can usually see the whole plant and how tall the stems/stalks are, the foliage is visible and you can really see how the plant moves if it is windy.

Take a drive to the country this summer, get out of the car. listen to the sounds, smell the air and think about what you would want to paint, photograph, write or sing about. Then do it. 

It will do your soul good.

Into The Wide Open

Into The Wide Open

8 x 8"

oil on panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

​Another autumn scene inspired by my studio mate's acreage. The downhill path to an open clearing is one of the many lovely vantage points on her property.

Dusk On A Northern Lake

Dusk On A Northern Lake

14 x 18"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold

(commission)

This. I am proud of this painting. And I am proud of the little 6x6 daily painting 

(below) which acted as its study. 

 Dusk in a Ravaged Land

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold

The reason I am proud is that the photo I used, which I took on my painting and canoe adventure in 2013, is in reality rather yawnsville. There is nothing overwhelmingly beautiful about it; basically it was an overcast and very green afternoon. I rarely show my reference photos, but decided that in this instance I would because it really helps illustrate the vision for this piece.

When I paint, my goal is to create a striking image of a Saskatchewan landscape; a painting with atmosphere, emotion, light and, often, drama. I am not a great photographer, far from it, so when I take my photos they are meant to be a jumping off point and a reminder to myself of the wonder I saw in that moment. It is then my job to articulate that feeling, mood and memory in paint or tweak things so that you see what I feel about the place.

The canoe trip in August 2013 got off to a rocky, and somewhat terrifying, start with an extremely intense storm hitting us on our last portage to base camp on the first day. After that, the weather cleared and the next few days were serene, solitary and breathtaking. These are the things I wanted this painting to express, so I consciously made the changes I needed to convey that message.You can read about the painting and canoe trip at these links:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

I am proud of this piece because my photo likely does not help you fully understand how I felt about this place, but hopefully the painting does.

My reference photo is below for you to compare. What do you think?

photo © Nicki Ault, 2013

Oh, and I have a third painting (24 x 24") in progress at the studio that is riffing off these two!

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Wild Poppies

Wild Poppies

(commission)

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold

I was recently asked to do a little prairie scene with red poppies as a special birthday gift for someone who adores this flower. I am told she loved, loved, LOVED it! Of course that makes me very happy.

Wake Up!

Wake Up!

8x8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I'm a night owl, so sunsets are more my thing, but my goal over the next six months is to try to catch some sunrises. I want to compare the different energy, different colours, different light and different mood. I'm curious.

Troubled Waters

Troubled Waters

8x8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

available at Darrell Bell Gallery

Lots of brushwork to love in this one - especially in the sky. I also love the distant horizon where things look a little more hopeful. And then there's wild green water.

Prairie Powerhouse

Prairie Powerhouse

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

This is an example of the dramatic skies for which Saskatchewan is known. In fact "Land of Living Skies" is on our license plates.

Light Show and In Full Bloom

Light Show

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

This was my first attempt at the Northern Lights! I have seen them several times up at the lake and a couple of times in town, but the city lights make them hard to see. I remember years ago at the lake they were absolutely spectacular! I went with my memory of that night to create this image. Unfortunately the green and purple colours in the sky were difficult to photograph.

In Full Bloom

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I took my resource photo for this painting early last July. I finally got around to making an attempt at it and I am thrilled with the results. Flax can be elusive to find and it is even harder to paint because it can look like water in the field. Working up the purple, blue and periwinkle colours in layers helped me get the effect I was looking for.

I am thrilled to say that both of these paintings sold very quickly once they got to Darrell Bell Gallery.

​

Dissipating Storm

Dissipating Storm

8 x 8"

oil on cradled panel

© Nicki Ault, 2019

sold at Darrell Bell Gallery

I am getting ready to do another big painting with this colour palette and this little study helped me remember the combo of colours I mixed for "Pewter And Platinum Glow" and "Shine Your Light". I'm excited to see if I can pull off a 30x48 canvas and get the water shimmering like it is here.